Example Graphic Designer Job Description for 2022

Free graphic designer job description. A graphic designer is a professional who assists in the creation of visual content to communicate messages. They determine visual hierarchy, layouts, typography, photography, and other visual elements to communicate with a viewer. A graphic designer may assist in the development of interactive designers to develop user experiences.

Variations of the graphic designer job title (and role) include senior graphic designer, junior graphic designer, graphic artist, and graphic design specialist. And entry-level graphic designer or junior designer.

What is a Graphic Designer?

A graphic designer is a professional who provides art services to either a company or a set of clients that come to the company. This professional utilizes their knowledge of design, typography, layouts, communication design, and graphic ability to communicate messages.

The designer should be a specialist in the Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and other design software. Excellent communication skills, the ability to deliver projects in a timely manner, and excellent time management abilities are required in this field.

Graphic Designer Education, Training, Certifications

In this field, designers specialize in their capacity to create creative direction based on communication requirements. Creating graphics based on graphic arts techniques is not something that requires formal education.

In some circumstances, education can be useful. Though, the task of submitting rough layout suggestions, designing rough layout suggestions, and creating visual aspects to communicate brand messages to customers isn't something that education requires.

The candidate should have strong knowledge of computer technologies, in order to execute the computer-aided design and website graphics. And be comfortable illustrating concepts to art directors, creative directors, and other fine arts professionals.

Graphic Designer Job Description Sample

Our company is seeking an experienced graphic designer. Someone who can assist with marketing material development, web design (website design), multimedia design, and brand identity. And take a concept to reality with our Marketing and Communication team. An ideal candidate will have a strong graphic design portfolio that displays experience in all types of art direction. From brand identity (corporate identity, corporate logos, or company logos) to product packaging.

Graphic Designer Duties and Responsibilities

Below are sample job duties and graphic designer responsibilities. The following job duties apply for graphic artists.

• Use graphic design software and computer software to turn a verbal concept into graphics.
• Take a visual concept from an art director and design graphics around the communications goals.
• Improve the layout of marketing materials, our website, and other design elements.
• Add creative flair to all brand assets.
• Use illustration skills to communicate brand messages.
• Work closely with a Creative Director to oversee projects.
• Must work closely with an Art Director to develop creative directions.
• Work closely with a Web Designer on motion graphics, interactive graphics, and more.
• Illustrates a concept by showing a rough layout of art and copy arrangements.
• Assists with the direction of type size, style, and related aesthetic concepts.
• Assists with the final layout of graphic concepts by refining type size, style, color theory, and more.
• Obtains approval of all creative concepts by the Creative Director and Art Director.
• Completes a project by coordinating with clients, customers, and other outside agencies.
• Communicate ideas to senior managers and use visual concepts to communicate design direction recommendations.
• Work with other graphic designers work and work alongside many graphic designers on a team of designers.
• Develop artistic or decorative effects for visual graphics and communication design.

Junior Graphic Designer Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and design various materials for print and digital collateral.
• Develop graphics to support key web customers.
• Support sales associates with various design request (e.g. presentation development, web banners, in-store displays, etc.).
• Organize and maintain the graphics file server of our Digital Asset Library.
• Prioritize and balance multiple projects within design specifications and budget restrictions.
• Perform retouching/creating 3D renders and manipulation of product images.
• Work closely with other communication designers. Collaborate on work, including reviewing final layouts for visual designs and design directions.

Graphic Designer Requirements

A qualified candidate must have the following:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design or Industrial Design.
• Graphic Design Degree preferred.
• Strong proficiency of photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop.
• A strong portfolio of creative work and graphic design.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to use design software such as Sketch, Framer, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and more).

Graphic Designer Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a graphic designer earns an average salary of $52,110 per year. The top earners in this field earn upwards of $89,210 per year.

Graphic Designer Job Outlook

In the United States, the graphic designer position is projected to decline by roughly 4% between 2019 and 2029. As stated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "While overall employment in this occupation is expected to go down. Specific projections vary by industry. For example, the employment of graphic designers in newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers is projected to decline significantly. In contrast, the employment of graphic designers in computer systems design and related services is projected to grow. Companies are continuing to increase their digital presence, which sometimes requires graphic designers to help create visually appealing and effective layouts of websites."

Graphic Designer Certifications and Licenses

Top candidates in the field have the following certifications and licenses:

• Adobe CC Masterclass: Photoshop, Illustrator, XD & InDesign (Udemy)
• Illustrator CC 2020 MasterClass (Udemy)
• Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization by University of Colorado Boulder (Coursera)
• The Graphic Design Masterclass (Udemy)
• Graphic Design Specialization by CalArts (Coursera)

Employers are encouraged to find a job seeker with one or more of the above certifications.

Graphic Designer Job Boards

Employers looking to post a graphic design job or job advertisement should post on these top industry job boards for graphic design. It's advised that an employer post on a "niche" job board before posting to a major job board like Indeed, Monster, or Dice.com.

Posting on a "niche" job board can attract a number of candidates who have a strong passion for advancing their graphic design career.

Top job boards

• Behance
• Dribbble
• AIGA
• We Work Remotely
• Design Jobs Board
• Design Week
• CreativeGuild
• Authentic Jobs
• Coroflot

Graphic Designer Skills

Employers should be looking for the following skills in an ideal candidate.

• Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and more)
• Microsoft (Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel)
• Sketch
• Framer
• Moqups or Invision App
• Other HTML tools
• Typography
• Branding
• Logo Design
• Information Architecture

Additional skills include:

• Layout skills
• Analytical skills
• Creativity
• Flexibility
• Attention to detail
• Deadline-oriented
• Acute vision
• Time-management skills
• Communication skills
• Handles rejection well

According to Creative Boom, the essential characteristics and competencies of a graphic designer include "communication skills, curiosity, passion and drive. And openness, the ability to take criticism, problem-solving skills, self-doubt, patience, reliability, and evolution."

Rasmussen College goes on to add that "active-listening skills, clear and concise communication, time management. And the ability to take criticism in stride" are key skills that make a graphic designer highly desirable.

Graphic Design Associations

Graphic designers who belong to the following associations show a passion for the industry. And the desire to advance themselves through networking, new technology advancements, and more.

• AIGA
• Graphic Artists Guild

How to Write a Graphic Designer Job Description

Follow the directions below to write a graphic designer job description for a technology job, design job, or other industry-related position.

Write workplace expectations

Depending on the sample job description above, determine the ideal candidate's appropriate workplace expectations. Include those expectations in the job description or job brief.

It's best to describe the objectives of the graphic design position in the job brief. Provide the applicant key insights into what expectations the business has for the role. This can assist the applicant in writing a more accurate cover letter, resume, and providing better work samples.

Write daily responsibilities

Include the duties and responsibilities portion of the job description. If unclear how to write these duties, ask the technology staff or design staff what "important duties" are of a graphic designer. Solicit feedback and write duties from there.

Write requirements, certifications, and skills

Include what requirements, certifications, previous work experiences, and general skills are required for the position. Include those qualities under the "Requirements" section of the job description.

Don't use unique job titles

It's best to avoid job titles like, "Rockstar Graphic Designer." Use a common job title like Graphic Designer. Job applicants will feel more confident aligning previous work experience to an industry-common job title.

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